Penguins Notebook: Search For Answers; Baby Crazy; Jarry Won’t Bow to Kids

Color Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust optimistic. It was a strong season for him, a disappointing season for the team, but he believes things can come together soon.

“We’ve got some good solid young players,” Rust said Friday as players cleaned out their lockers for the offseason. “But I think the people around this organization, they care so much and they are so invested in making this team great again that I have no doubt that this thing’s going to be turned around quickly.”

Rust, who played primarily on the top line with Sidney Crosby, set career highs in goals (34), assists (31) and points (65).

“For me individually, I think I’m fairly happy,” he said. “I had a pretty good year, set some milestones for myself, which is always cool, so I’m definitely excited about where things are going.”

A feel-good win Thursday against Washington was far too little, too late.

Asked what the team as a whole needs to do to improve and perhaps get back into the playoffs next season, Rust deadpanned, “For me, if I knew the answer, I’d be in charge. But I’m not. I just work here.”

As for the fact that the longtime stalwarts of the team are older than him, specifically Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, Rust does not believe the window is closed on another long playoff run with them.

“Does Sid age?” Rust asked with a grin.

“I guess it is in the back of your mind that these guys who have been here and they carry the torch, that time is undefeated. All good things come to an end. Don’t think we’re quite there yet, so we’ve got time, and we want to make the most of it – especially with all these franchise guys who have been here for so long.”

Jarry Won’t Budge for Kids

It was a season of tremendous highs and lows for goaltender Tristan Jarry, including a strong finish after he was recalled from an exile to the American Hockey League.

Jarry realizes that – barring something that would end his Penguins career – even as a veteran he will probably have to fight for his job next season.

The Penguins have some goalie prospects – Joel Blomqvist, Sergei Murashov and Filip Larsson primarily – who will be pushing for a full-time job in the NHL next season.

Jarry remembers what it was like being in their position, but he will be trying to hold off the kids.

“Being a younger guy, you want to push those guys, and you want to push them out of spot,” Jarry said “When I was younger, it was Matt Murray, Marc-Andre (Fleury), so it was tough to get up here.

“I think that I have to have that same mindset that being one of the older guys, I can’t let someone steal my job or take my job away. I have to play to my experiences and what I know, be the person who I am. … At the end of the day, it’s about wins and losses.”

Acciari Doesn’t Rule Out Surgery

Forward Noel Acciari revealed that the injury that forced him to miss the final three games of the season after he had not missed any was a couple muscle tears in his abductor/hip area.

“I’m hoping that with the time off we can avoid (surgery), but if it doesn’t heal, it’s something a little surgery might be needed to fix that,” he said. “Just rehabbing with the training staff right now, just trying to strengthen it.

No worlds, baby

A few Penguins players who might be asked to represent their country in the IIHF World Championship next month have a good reason to say no.

Rust, Rickard Rakell and Jarry each are expecting the birth of a child.

Jarry, in particular, did not cite that as a reason for turning down Team Canada; he simply reiterated that he had not been asked by Friday morning.

Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson said they will take a few days to assess how they feel before deciding on playing in the worlds.